There was some misdirection about the A’s gold jerseys – strong suggestions were made that they didn’t make the trip, then it changed to they might arrive “via private jet.” As it turns out, the A’s had them with them. I’m not sure if it was a surprise for the players, or strictly a surprise for the media and for the fans, but Oakland came out wearing the gold jerseys in the game.

And why not? The team has won five in a row with them and they are 9-3 overall with the tops. Alternate jerseys are just that – they may be used at home or on the road as alternates. It doesn’t happen a lot on the road, but a few teams have done it. It requires no authorization, at least that’s my understanding.

Josh Willingham told me he’s unavailable to start tonight and tomorrow night, but he “might” be OK for Thursday’s day game with that sore Achilles tendon. Willingham said if a few more days are needed to get rid of the problem, though, they’ll take the extra time.

Hideki Matsui will start in left field tonight and tomorrow night and he will get Thursday off, according to manager Bob Melvin.

Melvin confirmed that Mark Ellis will rejoin the team tomorrow, but he said he’d prefer to discuss with Ellis and Jemile Weeks what the plan is at second before he tells the media. Seems only fair.

I’m having a hard time envisioning Weeks coming out of the lineup, but when I asked if Weeks will be at second base upon Ellis’ return, Melvin said, “If Jemile is here, he’s going to play some. He’s played well.”

I’d imagine the team would like Weeks, a young player, a top prospect, to be playing every day wherever he is. “Some” isn’t a word I’d associate with that, but I’d again be surprised if he’s sent out. It seems clear that Daric Barton will be the players optioned out tomorrow, something that certainly was discussed by the team last week. Barton is out of the starting lineup again, with Conor Jackson at first.

Ellis played only second base while on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Sacramento, and he told me firmly when I asked about the possibility of other positions, “I’m a second baseman.” Weeks is also pretty much strictly a second baseman.

Does Weeks stay in the lineup until he cools off? That could be a reasonable plan, I suppose. So then does Ellis move back into the fulltime role at some point? Could he even be there tomorrow? Do the A’s try to explore a trade for Ellis? There is definite interest, but then what happens if Weeks has a really rough patch or gets hurt? Ellis is popular in the clubhouse, a team leader, and he is an excellent defensive second baseman.

This is one of the most interesting decisions the A’s have been faced with in some time. They’ve made some bold calls in recent weeks – now what happens with a much loved player who has spent his entire 10-year big-league career in Oakland vs. a young sparkplug who clearly is the team’s future?

In other news, Tyson Ross (oblique) will throw 40 pitches of batting practice at Phoenix Municipal Stadium this evening, to the team’s Arizona-League players.